New Delhi: Medical experts are facing another challenge with the outbreak of another virus in the country. The Lancet study on Saturday revealed that India has recorded at least 82 cases of tomato flu or tomato virus since the virus was first reported in Kerela on May 6.

The study shows that infectious disease is mostly targeting children between the ages of one to five years and also immunocompromised adults. The infection is mostly a new variant seen on hands, feet, and mouth in children as well as immunocompetent adults.

What is Tomato Flu?

Tomato Flu was first identified on May 6 in Kerala’s Kollam. According to the study, tomato flu virus shows symptoms similar to that of Covid-19. However, the virus is not related to SARS-CoV-2. Reportedly, tomato flu is mostly considered to be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children.

The name was given under the impression of the eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato.

What are the symptoms?

The initial symptoms observed in children are like those of chikungunya including high fever, rashes, and severe pain in joints. Other symptoms include body aches, fever, and fatigue – similar to those experienced by Covid-19 patients. Moreover, joint swelling, nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration, joint aches, and high fever can also be witnessed. In some cases, patients also suffered the development of rashes on their skin.

Further, the study mentioned more symptoms namely fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, dehydration, swelling of joints, body aches, and common influenza-like symptoms which are similar to that of dengue.

Diagnosis

Patients suffering from the disease should go through molecular and serological tests for the diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya, zika virus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes. With these viral infections getting ruled out, the contraction of the tomato virus is confirmed.

Treatment

The treatment for tomato flu is similar to that of chikungunya, dengue, and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Patients are advised to isolate, rest, and plenty of fluids and a hot water sponge for the relief of irritation and rashes.

The study stated, “Supportive therapy of paracetamol for fever and body ache and other symptomatic treatments are required.”